Things to Do in St Thomas

A historic fortress built in the history-rich St Thomas town of Charlotte Amalie, this Danish-built fortress has been a cultural highlight here since 1672 and so acts as one of the finest treasure troves of ancient artifacts in the small Caribbean island’s long history.

Fort Christian serves as a beautiful example of Dutch-Caribbean architecture, built in the Gothic-Revival style. It once successfully repelled foreign invaders from a bygone era, but today, the fortress stands as a monument to colonialism and exhibits the history of the Caribbean from the Stone Age to the present, while also offering a fine display of Dutch antiques.

Hull Bay is all about snorkeling the neighboring reef, swinging in a beach hammock and unwinding at a cool little beach bar.

There’s fishing off nearby Inner and Outer Brass Cays, and the Atlantic whips up waves off the beach for some of the island’s best surfing.

Hull Bay doesn’t attract the crowds of nearby Magens Bay, so the vibe is more laid-back and off the beaten path. Trees provide some welcome shade, and there’s even a nearby sushi bar for when you get hungry. Better yet, you can bring your dog along to friendly Hull Bay.

In the old days of Imperial Empires and the early colonization of the Caribbean, tall ships would set their ballasts with huge stones and offload them when filling up with spices and other exotic Caribbean goods, leaving the stones as a reminder of their visit. Intrepid residents of Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas have since decided to use these stones as a stairway up the city’s hills, which serves to remind residents of their colonial roots.

What makes the 99 Steps (there are actually 103; 99 Steps has a better ring to it) an attraction, however, is the lush foliage on either side of the stairway and the spectacular view from high atop the mountain once you make the climb. At the top you'll see Black Beard’s Castle. Innovative explorers have learned that a cab can be taken up to the top to avoid walking up 103 stairs. It’s easy, however, to take the 99 Steps downward at a leisurely pace.

Located on the western edge of St Thomas’ harbor, Hassel Island was once part of a peninsula. But the Danish government decided that separating it from St Thomas would create better water circulation in the harbor, so in the 1860s Hassel Island was born. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers widened the channel again in 1919, further separating the island from St Thomas.

Today, it is primarily a national park and a popular spot with visitors to St Thomas. Hassel Island is best explored via a kayaking, hiking or snorkeling tour, all of which give visitors a combination of a history lesson and an eco-adventure. And although it is primarily governed as a national park, there are several private estates on the remaining land, including a 10-acre compound with three houses totaling 15,000 square feet.

The historic district encompasses the entire island and includes ruins from early 19th-century English fortifications and 19th-century shipping and coal stations. Important ruins of note include Shipley’s Battery (Fort Shipley), a key reminder of Britain’s presence and rule during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s, and the Creques Marin Railway remains, built in the 1860s.

Hassel Island was home to a U.S. naval station from 1917 until 1932, when the island was purchased by a family to provide water for its distilleries. By the 1940s, the family owned 125 of the 135 acres and was receiving (and turning down) hefty offers from Korea and Germany to purchase the island. It was ultimately sold to the Virgin Islands National Park in 1978, preserving it for visitors today.

Please note: Official tours to Hassel Island have been temporarily halted due to damages incurred during hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Estate St. Peter Greathouse and Botanical Gardens is perched 1,000 feet above sea level on the volcanic peaks overlooking one of the most majestic spots on St. Thomas. Offering views of more than 20 islands and islets, the site's mountaintop location enchants visitors. Sights to see from the observation deck include Hans Lollick, an uninhabited island between Thatched Cay and Madahl Point.

St Peter Greathouse features Western Indian architecture and a beautiful botanical garden, complete with waterfalls and local plants and fruits. The site is about 20,000 square feet and serves as a popular site for private parties and corporate events. With air-conditioned banquet halls that can hold up to 500 guests, the venue has become a hot spot for destination weddings.

Gardeners, botanists, photographers and all-around nature lovers rave about the gardens, which many call a “museum of living plants.” The collection extends beyond varieties found only St Thomas with more than 50 families and 200 genera of plants represented. There are tropical flowers, fruits and other plants found from tropical regions across the globe. As if the collection isn't impressive enough, the backdrop is unrivaled. With meandering streams and waterfalls overlooking the Caribbean Sea, it’s no wonder photographers flock to the estate. Don’t miss the birdhouse with macaws and the koi fish in the lily lake.

The Blue Orchid, the site's signature restaurant, is open Monday through Saturday for dinner and cocktails. Look for freshly caught seafood, Caribbean-inspired dishes, handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Please note: The St Peter Greathouse is currently closed due to storm damage.

Vessup Bay is one of the more interesting and beautiful beaches on St Thomas. Located in the island’s East End district, the area offers a relaxed and tranquil experience and is also near the well-known Red Hook, a popular spot for boating enthusiasts.

Despite its reputation as one of the prettiest beaches in St Thomas, Vessup Bay is not often visited. The quiet atmosphere, gentle flowing waters and white sand beach make the area ideal for a day of sunbathing and swimming, a morning run or a family outing. The beach is mostly undeveloped, giving visitors a chance to experience St Thomas at its best. A wide variety of sea grape trees, rock outcroppings, plants and even cacti have been spotted along Vessup Bay’s shoreline.

Vessup Bay’s proximity to East End makes it an ideal beach for travelers who want to mix up their day with some relaxation on the beach followed by lunch or some shopping time. East End is home to a wide variety of dining options, including scenic beachside cafes. If you are looking for something upscale, head to the East End's Ritz Carlton.

Set offshore from St Thomas on a tiny isle known as Water Island, Honeymoon Beach is a peaceful cove characterized by a long, soft stretch of sand that curves against the sea, framed by palm trees and lush greenery. A popular swimming and snorkeling spot, Honeymoon Beach provides a respite from busy Charlotte Amalie and serves as a good alternative to St Thomas' popular Magens Bay. Travelers will find restaurants, bars and bathrooms set conveniently adjacent to the beach, which is accessible via trails.

Finally opening its gates in February 2015 after a 20-year-long construction, the Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden offers a unique collection of tropical plants, spread over a 2-acre plot. The scenic gardens stretch along a mountain ridge at 1,100 feet, with viewpoints offering impressive views across Magens Bay and Tortola, and the paved walking trails dotted with benches and gazebos to relax in. The real highlight is the plants themselves – a colorful collection featuring over 1,000 orchids, plus hundreds of palm trees, bromeliads and heliconias, creativity arranged and marked with information boards.

High above Charlotte Amalie is Skytsborg (“sky tower”), a round defensive tower built by the Danish in 1679 to watch for enemy ships which might attack Fort Christian and other harbor settlements. While there was a real pirate called Blackbeard (Edward Teach) who prowled nearby waters, his association with the site owes more to tradition than history.

And anyway, who needs a history lesson when you have one of the great Caribbean views laid out before you. The visual feast encompasses dramatic green slopes, bobbing yachts, hulking cruise ships and outlying islands. Facilities at the site include a swimming pool and snack bar.

St. John might have the lion’s share of the Virgin Islands’ natural attractions, but the extraordinary concentration of flora and fauna in St. Thomas’ Mangrove Lagoon makes it a top eco-tourism destination.

Small kayak groups thread through the lagoon’s tiny red mangrove islands, with guides pointing out the huge diversity of birds they attract, including herons, egrets and ducks.

The route takes you to deserted Cas Cay island, where hermit crabs dart about among mangrove roots. On your gently-paced travels you’ll see young fish darting around this natural breeding ground. Low-impact snorkeling will get you even closer, and you’ll spot rays, eels and jelly fish as well as a host of colorful tropical fish.

Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands bustles with activity as the landing location for many cruise ships, as well as the departure point for the ferry to Water Island and other boat excursions. This full-service marina also offers 99 berths that cater to mega yachts of up to 200 feet (60 meters) in length.

Ride the aerial tramway to the top of Paradise Point, for some of the best views of St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie harbor you’ll see. The views of the twinkling lights of Charlotte Amalie are especially terrific at sunset.

At the top, snap a photo of the cruise ships docked below, take in views of the island and harbor, and browse the souvenirs in the surrounding gift shops.

If you’d like to stay on longer, the relaxed restaurant here serves terrific terrace views with the island’s signature Bushwacker, a particularly potent, coffee-flavored rum cocktail. There’s also some toe-tapping music from a local band.

West India Company Dock (Havensight) serves as a cruisers’ gateway to St Thomas and the rest of the US Virgin Islands, a hugely popular stop on Eastern Caribbean cruises. With great shopping, sightseeing, and beach water sports within easy reach of the cruise terminal, the capital city of Charlotte Amalie and the rest of St Thomas offer everything you need for a perfect day ashore paradise. Other US Virgin Islands include St John, St Croix, and Water Island, also easily reachable from the port.